What is COPD?
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Most people with COPD have damage to the air passageways in the lungs, usually caused by smoking. Additional causes include long-term occupational exposure to dust, fumes, and smoke. COPD can cause chronic bronchitis, which damages the larger bronchial tubes, or emphysema, which damages the air sacs in the lungs.

What are the symptoms of COPD?
The damage from COPD causes a persistent cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

How does the doctor treat COPD?
The treatment for COPD may include bronchodilator medications to reverse wheezing, inhaled corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, antibiotics, home oxygen therapy, and chest physiotherapy.